HED: Knox desperate for run game

KIRKLAND -- Seattle coach Chuck Knox says more NFL clubs, including his, are having more trouble running the ball this season.

He also thinks he knows why.

"You're seeing more four-man lines and you're seeing more eight-man fronts where they're committing a safety up there to help stop the run," said Knox, who earned the nickname "Ground Chuck" for his teams' reliance on the run. "I think what is new is the commitment of people to stop it."

Knox speaks about NFL history with authority. He is in his 17th season as an NFL head coach, including his ninth in Seattle.

On Sunday (Channel 5, 1 p.m.), he is expected to start backup fullback James Jones at running back when the Seahawks (5-4) play at San Diego (1-8).

The Seahawks are desperate. They're averaging just 99.2 yards rushing and 3.5 yards per carry.

Jones, a nine-year veteran, has only nine carries in his three seasons with Seattle. But Knox is willing to try anything. Derrick Fenner is averaging 3.0 yards, Derek Loville 2.3 and Chris Warren 1.2.

The Seahawks' leading rusher is their starting fullback, John L. Williams, with a 3.9 average.

"We just feel we have to make a change there and increase the productivity at that position," Knox said Wednesday.

Through a head coaching career that began with the Los Angeles Rams in 1973, Knox has earned a reputation for being a coach who would rather run the ball effectively than pass it -- hence his nickname.

He's also a coach who has used strong defenses to post a record of 169-109.

So it's no surprise when he says he doesn't see any problem with defenses becoming too dominant in the NFL.

"Every coach will tell you that winning begins with defense," Knox said. "Before you can have a winning game, you've got to keep from losing it first and that begins with your defense."

Led by second-year tackle Cortez Kennedy, the Seahawks' defense is giving up 101.8 yards rushing per game and only one rushing touchdown.

In Knox's opinion, pro football is not all that complicated despite the variety of defenses and offenses that are used today.

"The No. 1 objective is to try to make the game onedimensional," he said. "Stop the run first. Make them have to throw the football. Now change up your coverage and try to get them in situations where it's third-and-10. Now turn the rush loose. Don't worry about the draw. Let's go get the quarterback."

In the Chargers, the Seahawks will be playing a team they beat in the Kingdome 20-9 two weeks ago.

"You very seldom can go in against an opponent and do the same thing you did the first time you played them," Knox said. "So you're going to have to give them a different look, different formations, that type of things. On both sides of the ball."

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